Author's Note: Hi everyone! I apologize for the long wait, it was the end of the school year and I am sure all of you know how busy that can be. Then you can blame Andrew Lloyd Webber, his music has been quite the distraction lately. My family has chosen to rent a lot of his musicals. :) But now it is summer, and I have Andrew Lloyd Webber on my computer so I can listen to him and write! Champychampchamp! So The General's Daughter only has one full chapter left and then a little epilogue. :( Thanks for reading and I apologize for the shortness of the chapter. Beware of girly-ness ahead!

Disclaimer: Narnia= Not mine

"Susan, have you seen my silver ribbon?" Lucy asked opening a drawer with one hand while using the other to hold back her hair as she searched for the final touch to her beautiful blue dress with silver lacing, "Oh, it was here just a minute ago!"

Susan stopped straightening out her skirt, "Last I saw, it was in front of the mirror." Maria, who was looking in the mirror, also messing with her hair her hair, stopped and looked under a few brushes.

"I found it," she announced, handing it to her friend before continuing to pin back her curls.

It was a nice treat, to have some relaxing times with her friends before Prince Caspian would be crowned King of Telmar. Maria had spent the night in the castle with her friends, enjoying every minute of conversation.

The past few days were full of mixed emotions, starting with a heartbreaking conversation when she sat down with Ramillo, Edmund, and Harken's family to explain the final wishes of the fallen hero. It was difficult, to see his wife's reaction as we told her about what happened. Ramillo stayed with them and had given his undivided attention to Harken's family.

Now the time had come for the celebration. Maria stood up and got a good look as she twirled around in her dress. After a long time, it was great to feel clean. Words could not describe how wonderful it felt to have back the simple luxuries in life, including a nice warm bath.

Susan smiled at her, "It looks wonderful." She turned around and helped Lucy braid the blue ribbon in her hair.

"This is so exciting," Maria said. "I've never been to an event that was so… extravagant!"

Lucy laughed, "Maria, you would have loved the parties and balls that we threw in the Golden Age. It was just wonderful."

Susan smiled and shook her head, "It was a lot of planning on our part Lu."

"They turned out practically perfect in the end."

Maria looked at the sisters. "If you had any part in planning this ball, then I am sure it will be lovely." She twirled around in her dress. "How does it look?"

"Green is a nice color on you," Susan commented. "It looks perfect."

There was a knock on the door that stopped their conversation. "That must be the boys," Lucy said jumping out of her seat and opening up the door, causing Susan to cry out because she wasn't finished with Lucy's hair.

"Sorry Su," Lucy apologized.

Peter and Edmund walked into the room, dressed in the most impressive clothes Maria had seen in her lifetime. This whole situation was the most marvelous ball she had ever attended.

"Is everyone ready?" Peter asked.

"Almost," Susan said, summoning Lucy back over so she could finish her hair. Luckily there wasn't that much left and she finished in no time.

Peter walked over to his sisters and offered Lucy his hand as she stood up and spun around. He then extended his arm and Lucy slid her arm through his. Susan walked around and hooked her arm through Peter's. "You ladies all look delightful." Peter looked back at Edmund. "Don't take too long."

Edmund rolled his eyes and watched as his brother and sisters left.

Maria spun around, "Do you like it?" She asked nervously.

Edmund stopped her spinning and gently he kissed the back of her hand. "You look beautiful."

Maria felt her cheeks heat up as they turned rosy-red. "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself."

He offered her his arm, which she gratefully accepted. "We don't want to keep everyone waiting." Edmund and Maria left the room and walked towards the throne room where the coronation would be held.

"How is this coronation supposed to work?" Maria asked.

"Well, my siblings and I will be at the front with Aslan. Then Caspian will come in and Aslan will have him say an oath. Finally Peter will place the crown on Caspian's head and he will be king," Edmund explained.

"How do you feel about it? Handing the country over to Caspian?"

"I think he will lead Narnia to do great things," Edmund answered, without hesitation. "It has been a difficult journey for him, and he has shown me that he is ready. But to leave this country with Caspian will be hard. It means so much to me and my family. But he will have us to help when things get troubling."

"That's good."

As the pair got closer to the throne room, two Telmarine soldiers opened the door. Edmund thanked them and pulled Maria along into the room. All of his siblings were standing up by the throne with Aslan, "Time for me to go." Edmund kissed her hand again and walked over to his family.

Maria smiled as she watched him walk away. "Maria!" She turned around and saw none other than Lilliana, her young friend from before she left with Edmund. "Maria!"

Maria walked over to the little girl quickly and wrapped her arms around her in a hug. Maria realized how much she had missed her old friends. Lately she had been so caught up with the Pevensies, but Lilliana and Helanna were practically family and they had taken such good care of her in the past.

"Maria, I've missed you." Lilliana grabbed her hand and pulled her over to Helanna, Hywet, and her father.

"I've missed you too, were you good while I was gone?" Maria asked.

"Yes," Lilliana beamed, proud of herself. "Mama was worried about you, Uncle Hywet, and your papa. But I took good care of them," Lilliana bragged like any little girl would.

Maria looked up at Helanna, "You were worried?"

"Of course," Helanna said. "Lilliana wouldn't stop talking about you and how she woke up in the middle of the night because she heard the sound of horses. She said she saw you and some boy heading towards the woods. I didn't believe her until we heard that you were missing."

"I'm doing just fine now," Maria wrapped an arm around Helanna. "And how are you Papa?"

Helanna answered for him, "He is much better and well rested."

"Helanna has barely let me out of bed since we have returned," Glozelle commented.

Helanna smiled and patted Glozelle on the back, "He needed some rest, he slept for almost the whole day when he got back. To think someone as active as your father could be so lazy."

"I wasn't lazy. You said yourself I needed some rest."

Maria laughed when the sound of trumpets silenced the room. "It looks like they are about to start," Glozelle whispered and the whole room turned to the doors.

The doors opened to the room and Caspian walked in, looking straight ahead and focused. A group of fauns came in holding flags behind him, they then lined up around the edge of the throne room. Caspian made his way to the front and kneeled before Aslan.

"Rise Caspian the tenth, stand before your people," Aslan instructed.

Cornelius walked forward, with the crown for the king on a pillow. "Caspian, you have served your country well and have proven yourself to be a great leader. Are there any who object to Caspian becoming King of Telmar please speak up."

The room was silent.

"Very well, your people support you." Aslan looked down at the prince. "Will you swear to protect Narnia with your life?"

"I will," Caspian said, shaking.

"And will you swear to maintain a peace between the humans and the Narnians?"

"I will."

"Will you swear to take on all the responsibilities as king, to guide the citizens of Narnia into a new and brighter age?"

Caspian's confidence had grown. "I will."

Aslan smiled at Caspian, proud. "Peter please take the crown," Aslan looked over at the High King. Peter walked over to Cornelius and took the crown and stood behind Caspian. Aslan shouted, "I now crown you Caspian the tenth, King of Narnia!"

Peter brought the crown down onto Caspian's head and the room erupted with cheers. Narnia now had a truly good king.

The great hall was filled with chatter, laughter, and music playing from Narnian instruments. Cornelius walked over to the musicians and told them to stop and all the attention in the room was directed at Caspian who had his glass raised.

"Citizens of Telmar and Narnia," Caspian began. "Today our lives meet and we become one country. For years we have fought and now we forward to a new age of peace and equality. I promise to do my best to lead this country and I will fix what mistakes our ancestors made. Let us raise our glasses to a new future, with new alliances, new families, a new culture, and new friendships!"

Glasses were brought up in agreement and everyone took a sip before the music started again. Maria sat her drink down at one of the table that lined the hall. She took a seat on the stool, and watched as the people danced in celebration.

Ramillo hobbled over to her, careful to avoid being stepped on by the dancers. Maria picked him up and looked at his bandaged leg. Lucy was about to fix his broken leg when Ramillo refused and wanted to be healed naturally, to him it was just a break and he didn't want the Queen to waste such precious drops on a broken leg or his honor would be forever damaged.

"How is your leg?" Maria asked, inspecting it.

Ramillo opened his mouth to begin his lengthy chatter, "I am doing much better now, my leg is still sore. My emotions have settled down, Tulio has been there for me the whole time. For some odd reason, he insists on carrying me everywhere. I tried to explain to him that my leg is healing. It's very strange, it's like he actually likes me." Maria shook her head, smirking. "One night I was helping Harken's wife and Tulio came in and told the children stories until they stopped whining."

"It seems he is your friend after all," Maria said.

"Curious," Ramillo wiggled his nose. "I never really considered him a friend, after this long journey I guess he has really been there. But why was he always so grumpy? He always liked to take his anger out on me! What did I do in the first place?"

"You do talk a lot."

"Maybe that is it," Ramillo was lost in his thoughts.

Maria looked out at the dancers, women being swept of their feet by young, handsome men, twirling them around to the tune. She caught sight of a rabbit looking up at Ramillo in her lap.

"Ramillo, I think you have an admirer." Maria pointed out the rabbit that turned her head shyly when Ramillo looked at her. "Go talk to her."

"An admirer? Me?" Ramillo scoffed. "No, all the rabbits admired Camillo."

"She probably thinks you are very brave, I've heard some of them talking about your hero actions in the battle and the rescue of Edmund."

"They talk about me?" Ramillo smiled. "Well put me down then!"

Maria followed his orders and put him down, Ramillo made his way through the dancers towards the rabbit. Ramillo turned around and smiled at Maria before hopping off with the rabbit, the pair left the ballroom and wandered out into the hall.

"It looks like Ramillo found a lady." Maria jumped at the sound of Edmund's voice. "He has become a hero to the Narnians."

"So I've heard," Maria turned around on her stool to look at Edmund who took a seat next to her.

"What do you think of the ball?"

"It's been so much fun. The music is amazing and the food is delicious," Maria commented. "It really is lovely."

"Good," Edmund stood up. "Do you like the music then? Susan was nervous because Lucy wanted to have them play some old Narnian songs."

"I think it is very original. It adds a new feeling," Maria said.

Edmund cleared his throat. "Maria, would you like to dance?" He extended his hand to help her up.

Maria looked up at him from her seat and took his hand. "I would love too. But I warn you, I'm not the best."

Edmund led her out to the dance floor and placed a hand on her hip while holding her other. He smiled at her and began to spin to the music.

Maria unfortunately kept looking at her feet, careful not to step on his. "Stop trying so hard," Edmund whispered in her ear.

Maria looked up at him, "Sorry."

They continued to dance, this time Maria was focusing on Edmund, she allowed him to lead. The pace of the song picked up and they started to spin faster with weaving through the dancers. It felt more like skipping then dancing, but either way it was a lot of fun.

Edmund very quickly placed both hands on her hips and before she had time to protest he lifted her up spinning her around. Maria laughed as her feet hit the ground again; Edmund pulled her closer and waited for the song to end.

"That was nice," Maria said with a huge grin on her face. The next song was slower and Maria wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You know, you aren't the worst dancer," Edmund whispered.

"You were good. I didn't know you could dance."

"Not many people expect that I can. They always expect Peter to be the most musically inclined. But he is actually the worst dancer in the family, I remember after our coronation he was dancing with a young woman and he stepped on her toes with almost every move."

Maria looked at him, "You always manage to surprise me." Maria rested her head on his shoulder; maybe dancing wasn't such a bad thing after all.

Maria and Edmund took a seat at the table, as they were eating Glozelle walked up to them.

"What do you think of the ball?" Maria asked.

"This is a great ball your sisters have planned, King Edmund," Glozelle said. "I have heard nothing but good comments."

"They did a good job, didn't they?" Edmund looked around at the whole set up.

Glozelle cleared his throat, awkwardly getting Edmund's attention. "King Edmund, I want to formally apologize." Maria looked at her father quizzically. "For everything that has happened and everything I have personally done."

Edmund spoke, "Thank you, sir."

"And thank you for taking care of my daughter and keeping her safe," Glozelle shook Edmund's hand. He turned and kissed Maria's forehead, "Now, if you will excuse me, I will leave you two to eat."

Glozelle walked out into the crowd and began to dance with Helanna. Maria loved seeing her family so happy, Glozelle and Helanna dancing slowly to one of the faster songs. Hywet was turning Lilliana around with exaggerated movements as she laughed, and Jacobi was dancing with Hanelise. But when they caught Maria looking, they both stopped. Hanelise let go of Jacobi's hand and walked over to them.

"Edmund what do I do?" Maria asked as Hanelise started to come towards them.

"Just here her out," Edmund whispered when Hanelise got to them.

"Maria," Hanelise started. "I am so sorry. I never meant for you and King Edmund to get hurt, I was just being selfish. I don't know what came over me; it was like I wasn't myself."

Maria had missed her friend, she looked back at Edmund. "I have some apologizing to do also. I didn't mean what I said that night at camp, about your brother. I think our emotions just got the best of us. Forgive me?"

"I couldn't stay mad at you. Do you forgive me?"

"Of course," Maria held open her arms and hugged Hanelise.

Jacobi came up and grabbed Hanelise's hand, "Sorry to interrupt, but my family has been wanted to speak with you."

Hanelise looked back at Maria, "I should go. I'll talk to you soon, promise." Maria waved her off as Jacobi led her away.

Edmund took Maria's hand in his own. "It's getting crowded in here; care to join me for some fresh air?" Maria nodded and followed Edmund from the ballroom

The couple walked up towards the towers hand in hand, as they crossed the bridge from the west to east side of the castle Edmund stopped. "What's wrong?" Maria asked.

"If I am not mistaken," Edmund looked around in the dark night. "This is where I first saw you, during the raid. We were running in opposite directions."

"I can't believe you would remember that," Maria laughed.

Edmund leaned against the wall, "You have to have a good memory to be a king. I had to memorize maps, laws, and names."

"I'm impressed." They stood in silence, looking up at the sky. "This has been a very exciting adventure," Maria thought out loud.

"What do you mean?"

Maria looked up at him, "Well, I never expected for any of this to happen. It's a strange feeling, having everything back to normal after all that has happened."

"You didn't expect to go on any adventures in your life?"

"Not really," Maria smiled. "Life just seemed so normal, stuff like this only happens to certain people with extraordinary pasts."

"Extraordinary pasts," Edmund laughed. "When my siblings and I first came to Narnia we were just children sent away to the country, nothing special."

"I guess you're right." Maria walked forward and looked down into the courtyard. "It's funny."

"What is?"

"To come back to the place we first saw each other, and to think at that moment we had no idea what would happen. I was honestly terrified when I first saw you, I thought you would attack. If only I had known what would happen," Maria explained. "And now look at us."

Edmund laughed. "Did I say something funny?" Maria asked.

"No," Edmund turned around and looked at her. "It's just the things you do."

"Things I do?"

"You overthink things, you care too much, you can't seem to stop looking around, you aren't the best dancer, you worry about what others think, you have this crazy love of water, you are quiet, you get scared way to easily and its funny, you push yourself, and so many other things."

"Oh…" Maria awkwardly fiddled with her dress.

"Those are my favorite things about you." Edmund pushed some of the hair out of her face. Maria felt her cheeks heat up. Why did he do that to her?

Edmund gently lifted her chin so she was looking at him. Maria couldn't stop smiling when Edmund spoke to her or when he wrapped his arms around her. Slowly Edmund leaned down and kissed her.

When they broke apart, they stood in silence for a few moments when Lucy and Susan walked out. "There you two are."

Author's Note: I hope you all liked it! Please review!